To make sure nimodipine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

cirrhosis or other liver disease;

heart disease; or

high or low blood pressure.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether nimodipine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

It is not known whether nimodipine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Nimodipine Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

easy bruising or bleeding;

fast or slow heart rate; or

swelling in your ankles or feet.

Common side effects may include:

nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach;

headache; or

mild rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Nimodipine Interactions

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with nimodipine and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products while taking nimodipine.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of nimodipine.

Many drugs can interact with nimodipine. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with nimodipine, especially:

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with nimodipine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Nimodipine Dosage

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take nimodipine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Swallow the capsule whole.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

If the person taking nimodipine cannot swallow the capsule, the medicine from inside the capsule can be given through an in-place nasogastric tube (through the nose and into the stomach). Use a needle to make a hole in each end of the capsule, and squeeze the medicine out into an oral syringe or other syringe to which a needle cannot be attached. Empty the syringe into the nasogastric tube and wash it down with 30 milliliters of normal saline.

The medicine placed into a syringe should never be injected through a needle into the body, or dangerously low blood pressure may result. Nimodipine gel capsules are to be taken by mouth only.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your liver function may also need to be tested.

You should not stop using nimodipine suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze. Keep each capsule in the original package until you are ready to take one.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

About Drugs A-Z

Drugs A-Z provides drug information from Everyday Health and our partners, as well as ratings from our members, all in one place. Cerner Multum™ provides the data within some of the Basics, Side Effects, Interactions, and Dosage tabs. The information within the Reviews and FAQ tabs is proprietary to Everyday Health.

You can browse Drugs A-Z for a specific prescription or over-the-counter drug or look up drugs based on your specific condition. This information is for educational purposes only, and not meant to provide medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis. Remember to always consult your physician or health care provider before starting, stopping, or altering a treatment or health care regimen.

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